Barcelona Photoblog

January 21, 2010

Police Chase, La Ribera Quarter. Is Barcelona Less Safe?

Police Chase in La Ribera Quarter

Police chase I witnessed some time ago in the narrow streets of La Ribera quarter near Santa Caterina market in Barcelona. That day we were taking part in a photo walk organized by Barcelona Photobloggers and suddenly we saw this police car coming right towards us at an impossible speed for an alley like the one in the shot. Needless to say we all stuck our butts against the wall and got so scared that didn't even think of taking pictures. We were standing at an intersection, a cop headed down the street in the image and the car followed but some scaffolds got in the way and they stepped on the gas in reverse in the most pure Hollywood style and went up a slightly wider street. At that point, I remembered the camera and captured this blurry silhouette. I knew it was awful and distorted but I was surprised it had the mood of some documentary shooting. The following morning I read a young man had been killed in the subway and attackers had managed to escape in the narrow alleys nearby although they were caught some days later. Maybe not the same events but it could be.

Well, you know, this sort of things may happen in Barcelona too although it is not an everyday scene.  Or maybe it is but you get to see one or two a year. The fact we are not part of the action does not mean we should look the other way and pretend the problem does not exist.

According to last semester's official poll 43% of participants think the city is worse than before against a more positive 34%. The previous poll carried out in June 2009 showed an opposite result.

The number of people that think local authorities do their job correctly or efficiently is lower than in June but it is still favorable to present town hall administration. There is a certain feeling of being on the right track or so they say, as emphasis is being made on security this year. Results cannot adorn the evidence, 19,6% of citizens mention insecurity as their deepest concern, followed by unemployment voted by 17,6% of participants.

Of course I don't mean to scare anybody: Barcelona is not Sin City!

January 20, 2010

Bike Tours in Barcelona Waterfront

Bike Tours in Barcelona

A bike tour along Barcelona waterfront spotted right in front of Hotel Arts at the end of the wharf nearby, the same day I took this other picture of a man and his bicycle. It was also a foggy morning, pretty much like the ones we are having lately. Yet these people seem to be having fun enjoying the view so imagine how great the experience must be in the spring on one of those bright sunny days watching sailboats coming into the marina or taking a swim after the long ride. Possibilities there are many in the city to go on private, tailor-made bike tours sightseeing landmarks or just the narrow streets of the old part of town and stopping for a refreshing beer and some tapas but finding the best route and the best company I leave up to you since that is not the purpose of this post.

January 17, 2010

Francesc de Paula Rius i Taulet by Manuel Fuxa and Pere Falques

Francesc de Paula Rius i Taulet by Manuel Fuxa and Pere Falques [enlarge]

Walking down Passeig Lluis Companys towards Parc de la Ciutadella right at the opposite site of Arc de Triomf we find a monument that honors city mayor Francesc de Paula Rius i Taulet. This obelisk was built between 1897 and 1901 by sculptor Manuel Fuxà with the help of architect Pere Falqués. The universal exhibition of 1888 held in Barcelona had a significant impact on the economic, cultural, demographic and urbanistic development of the city and much of such improvement is owed to Rius i Taulet as president of the event and as promoter of many projects started as a result of the exhibition. Notice the man with hammer on his left that symbolizes Labor and a lady paying homage to the mayor on behalf of the city.
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